By Eliza Ridgeway

Stanford has indefinitely delayed the $1.05 million pathway planned for Los Altos Hills, citing concerns about a lawsuit regarding another segment of the trail.

Stanford agreed to bankroll and build two pathways throughout nearby communities, known as the S1 and C1 trails, in exchange for approval from Santa Clara County for more on-campus development. The S1 trail would pass through Los Altos Hills as it connects the Arastradero Preserve to Palo Alto. Stanford had offered the town more than $1 million to construct its local portion of the pathway, and the town indicated approval.

The Committee for Green Foothills filed a lawsuit in June alleging that Stanford had omitted a required environmental review in its plan for the C1 trail along Alpine Road in Portola Valley. The lawsuit, while directly only challenging the C1 trail, could impact both trails, as they were approved (and could be disallowed) as a package by the county.

Los Altos Hills City Manager Carl Cahill considered Stanford’s delay “strategy” related to the lawsuit. He reported that the town will continue to meet and plan with Stanford officials this week in order to move forward with construction of the trail if and when the lawsuit is resolved. If not delayed, town staff estimated the trail might be completed as soon as this year.

“That’s a very expensive strategy. They have a lot of problems, but money is not one of them,” said Councilman Breene Kerr.

“We have no problem moving ahead now with planning, but actual construction we do not want to go further with until we get legal clarification,” said Larry Horton, director of community relations for Stanford. “We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed, but you must take litigation very seriously. We fully expect to resume.”